CREATURE FEATURE
🐜
Mayfly (Ephemeroptera)
As one of the first winged insects, mayflies are fascinating creatures - they were around before even the dinosaurs, with fossils found that date back over 300 million years. Unfortunately, all evidence points to a decline in riverflies over the last decades due to habitat loss, pollution, soil erosion, abstraction and light pollution.
There are 51 species of mayfly known currently. They play a vital role in freshwater ecosystems – making up an important part of the food chain and thereby supporting a rich variety of wildlife, especially trout and salmon - and they are very good indicators of river health, since they are sensitive to water quality changes.
Their life cycle starts as an egg in the river hatching into a nymph. They feed on algae and vegetation for up to 2 years, depending on the species, and then, as they reach adulthood, they arise to the surface having wings and a dressed in dun colours. They journey to the bank to shelter under grass or leaves and begin moulting for a second time, which reveals their shiny skin (‘spinner’ skin). The next part is what most people will have seen at some point, whether they realise it or not. Swarms of mayflies flitting across the water, which is actually part of the mating process.
🐜
#riverdeveron#river#salmon#browntrout#seatrout#riverwalk#mayfly#riverfly#fluss#flod#elv#rivière#insects#nature#scotland#aberdeenshire

For me, Snøhetta is one of the most interesting architecture studios in the world. And the building of the National Opera in Oslo seems to be their showcase. And rightly so! :) Just take a look at this view!
The Opera House expresses what is most important for the Scandinavians - respect for the nature, closeness to the nature, a sense of place identity, simplicity and functionalism.
Therefore, the architects chose natural and - what is very important - local materials. The stone used here brings to mind the Norwegian coasts and rocky fjords. The building seems to emerge from the water, thus marking the relationship of life on land with that on the water. The color of the stone is not accidental either. On sunny days, the rays of the sun falling on the building reflect, making it as beautiful as a gigantic pearl.
Sounds too poetic? :) Just go to Oslo and see the Opera building with your own eyes.
.
.
Snøhetta to dla mnie jedno z najciekawszych biur projektowych na świecie. A budynek Opery Narodowej w Oslo zdaje się być ich wizytówką. I słusznie! :) Tylko spójrzcie na ten widok!
Budynek Opery wyraża to, co dla Skandynawów najważniejsze - poszanowanie dla natury, bliskość z naturą, poczucie tożsamości miejsca, prostota i funkcjonalizm.
Dlatego projektanci wybrali naturalne i co ważne - lokalne materiały. Użyty tu kamień przywodzi na myśl norweskie wybrzeża i skaliste fjordy. Budynek zdaje się wynurzać z wody, zaznaczając tym samym związek życia na lądzie z tym na wodzie. Kolor kamienia też nie jest przypadkowy. W słoneczne dni, padające na niego promienie słońca odbijają się, sprawiając, że budynek ślni niczym gigantyczna perła.
Brzmi zbyt poetycko?:) Po prostu wybierzcie się do Oslo i zobaczcie budynek Opery na własne oczy.
#snohetta#oslo#oslooperahouse#norway#norwegia#opera#architecture#arch#publicspace#art#culture#placemaking#modernarchitecture#urbanism#architektura#cityobserver#citysquare#cityoftomorrow#future#inspiration#stone#nature#naturalmaterials#archidaily#dezeen#miasto#view#photooftheday#traveladdicted#travel